A Brooklyn building collapse in the Flatbush neighbourhood left two people dead and 17 others injured Wednesday, including four people who remained in critical condition, as emergency crews continued searching the rubble.
The collapse happened shortly after 4 p.m. on November 11, 2026, near the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Bedford Avenue in New York City.
Firefighters were called to a three-storey building at or near 1321 Flatbush Avenue after part of the occupied structure fell into an open construction site next door.
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Rescue crews continue working through rubble
The FDNY treated 19 patients connected to the collapse, including the two people who died.
Officials said 12 injured people were in stable condition, while one firefighter suffered minor injuries.
Seven children were among those treated, according to officials.
Firefighters, technical rescue teams and other emergency personnel were using drones, buckets and vacuum equipment to search the debris.
The operation was proceeding cautiously because unstable rubble could shift and create a secondary collapse.
Authorities said they could not immediately determine whether anyone remained trapped beneath the debris.
What caused the Brooklyn building collapse
The cause of the Brooklyn building collapse had not been determined.
Construction workers were excavating an adjoining lot when the building fell, according to city officials.
The neighbouring site was identified as 2625 Bedford Avenue.
New York City Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani said the excavation was being carried out for a planned new building, while officials continued to investigate whether the work contributed to the collapse.
Officials said plans for a three-storey building had been approved at the construction site, while plans for a proposed nine-storey mixed-use building had not yet received approval.
No conclusion about responsibility or code violations had been announced.
Nearby buildings inspected after collapse
Department of Buildings inspectors were sent to the scene to help with recovery operations and assess the structural stability of nearby buildings.
Officials closed surrounding streets and urged residents and drivers to avoid the area while rescue work continued.
New York City Emergency Management opened a reception centre with the Red Cross at the Flatbush YMCA at 1401 Flatbush Avenue for residents affected by the collapse.
The centre was intended to provide assistance to people displaced or otherwise affected by the emergency.
What happens next
Rescue and recovery crews were expected to remain at the site while investigators documented the collapse and examined the adjacent construction work.
The city’s building inspectors will determine whether nearby properties are safe to occupy and whether additional protective measures are required.
Officials have not released the identities of the people who died.
Further updates are expected as the search concludes and investigators establish the sequence of events leading to the collapse.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Brooklyn building collapse happen?
The collapse occurred shortly after 4 p.m. local time on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
Where did the Brooklyn building collapse happen?
It happened in Flatbush near Flatbush Avenue and Bedford Avenue, beside an open construction site.
How many people died in the collapse?
Two people died, according to the latest update from New York City officials.
How many people were injured?
Seventeen people were injured, including four who were reported to be in critical condition.
What caused the building to collapse?
The cause remained under investigation, with excavation work taking place at the adjacent construction site when the building fell.
Fact-Checked: Key casualty figures, the location, rescue response and construction-site details were checked against FDNY, New York City Buildings Department and New York City Emergency Management updates.
Disclaimer: The casualty count and investigation details may change as rescue and recovery operations continue.